System and method for generating an altimeter mis-set alert on a primary flight display

Abstract

A primary flight display system is provided for deployment on an aircraft including a barometric altimeter and a secondary altitude-determining device. The barometric altimeter provides a first estimated altitude corresponding to a reference pressure setting, and the secondary altitude-determining device provides a second estimated altitude. The primary flight display system includes a primary flight display (PFD), and a controller coupled to the PFD. The controller is configured to generate: (i) an altitude graphic on the PFD indicative of the first estimated altitude, and (ii) a visual alert on the PFD when the difference between the first estimated altitude and the second estimated altitude exceeds a predetermined error threshold.

1 . A primary flight display system for deployment on an aircraft including a barometric altimeter and a secondary altitude-determining device, the barometric altimeter providing a first estimated altitude corresponding to a reference pressure setting, and the secondary altitude-determining device providing a second estimated altitude, the primary flight display system comprising:
 a primary flight display (PFD); and   a controller coupled to the PFD and configured to generate: (i) an altitude graphic on the PFD indicative of the first estimated altitude, and (ii) a visual alert on the PFD when the difference between the first estimated altitude and the second estimated altitude exceeds a predetermined error threshold.   
   
   
       2 . A primary flight display system according to  claim 1  wherein the controller is further configured to generate a textual readout of the reference pressure setting on the PFD, and wherein the visual alert comprises an alteration in the appearance of the textual readout of the reference pressure setting. 
   
   
       3 . A primary flight display system according to  claim 2  wherein the visual alert comprises a change in the coloration of the textual readout of the reference pressure setting. 
   
   
       4 . A primary flight display system according to  claim 2  wherein the visual alert comprises a change in a dimension of the textual readout of the reference pressure setting. 
   
   
       5 . A primary flight display system according to  claim 2  wherein the visual alert comprises a change in the font of the textual readout of the reference pressure setting. 
   
   
       6 . A primary flight display system according to  claim 2  wherein the controller is further configured to cause the textual readout of the reference pressure setting to flash when the difference between the first estimated altitude and the second estimated altitude exceeds a predetermined error threshold. 
   
   
       7 . A primary flight display system according to  claim 1  wherein the altitude graphic comprises a current altitude readout, and wherein the visual alert comprises an alteration in the appearance of the current altitude readout. 
   
   
       8 . A primary flight display system according to  claim 1  wherein the altitude graphic comprises a metered altitude tape graphic, and wherein the visual alert comprises an alteration in the appearance of the metered altitude tape graphic. 
   
   
       9 . A primary flight display system according to  claim 1  wherein the visual alert comprises a textual message. 
   
   
       10 . A method for alerting a pilot of an aircraft to the mis-setting of a reference pressure setting associated with a barometric altimeter deployed on the aircraft, the aircraft including a secondary altitude-determining device and a primary flight display (PFD), the method comprising:
 providing a first estimated altitude utilizing the barometric altimeter device;   providing a second estimated altitude utilizing the secondary altitude-determining device;   comparing the first estimated altitude to the second estimated altitude; and   generating a visual alert on the PFD when the difference between first estimated altitude and the second estimated altitude exceeds a predetermined error threshold.   
   
   
       11 . A method according to  claim 10  further comprising producing an altitude graphic on the PFD indicative of the first estimated altitude, and wherein the step of generating comprises altering the appearance of the altitude graphic. 
   
   
       12 . A method according to  claim 10  further comprising the step of producing a textual readout of the current value of the reference pressure setting, and wherein the step of generating comprises altering the appearance of the textual readout. 
   
   
       13 . A method according to  claim 12  wherein the step of altering comprises changing the color of the textual readout. 
   
   
       14 . A method according to  claim 12  wherein the step of generating comprising producing a textual message on the PFD. 
   
   
       15 . A method according to  claim 10  wherein the aircraft further includes a secondary flight deck display, and wherein the method further comprises the step of producing an alert on the secondary flight deck display when the difference between first estimated altitude and the second estimated altitude exceeds a predetermined error threshold. 
   
   
       16 . A method according to  claim 15  wherein the step of producing comprises generating a textual message on the secondary flight deck display. 
   
   
       17 . A method according to  claim 15  wherein a digital altimeter gauge is produced on the secondary flight deck display, and wherein the step of producing comprises altering the appearance of the digital altimeter gauge. 
   
   
       18 . A program product for use in conjunction with an aircraft display system including a primary flight display (PFD), the aircraft display system deployed on an aircraft including a barometric altimeter and a secondary altitude-determining device, the barometric altimeter providing a first estimated altitude corresponding to a reference pressure setting, and the secondary altitude-determining device providing a second estimated altitude, the program product comprising:
 an avionics display program adapted to:
 produce an altitude graphic on the PFD indicative of the first estimated altitude; and 
 generate a visual alert on the PFD when the difference between the first estimated altitude and the second estimated altitude exceeds a predetermined error threshold; and 
   computer-readable media bearing the avionics display program.   
   
   
       19 . A program product according to  claim 18  wherein the avionics display program is configured to generate an altitude graphic on the PFD indicative of the first estimated altitude, and wherein the visual alert comprises altering the appearance of the altitude graphic. 
   
   
       20 . A program produce according to  claim 19  wherein the avionics display program is configured to produce a textual readout of the current value of the reference pressure setting, and wherein the visual alert comprises alerting the appearance of the textual readout.